Yeast Starter

[ArrogantDan]

I'm gonna buy a yeast starter but wanted to know if a 2000 mL flask is big enough for high gravity (1.065 OG and up) 10 gal batches. Anyone?

[backyard brewer]

I'm gonna buy a yeast starter but wanted to know if a 2000 mL flask is big enough for high gravity (1.065 OG and up) 10 gal batches. Anyone?

For ales up to ~ 1.085 yes. Lagers a 1G or 5L starter is better. Anything over about 1.090 or so I like to pitch on a yeast cake. When i make a scotch ale for example, I'll make a scottish 60- ahead and pitch the big wort on the cake (or most of it) from the first beer.

[bwarbiany]

I'm gonna buy a yeast starter but wanted to know if a 2000 mL flask is big enough for high gravity (1.065 OG and up) 10 gal batches. Anyone?

What yeast strain? My general rule is that if there's a dry yeast strain, I'll use it. And since 3 packets of dry costs about the same as 1 vial of liquid, plus all the cost of making starters (i.e. buying DME if you don't have wort ready on hand), I simply buy enough dry yeast to be sure I'm pitching proper amounts. The most I've ever done is buying 6 packets of dry for a high-gravity 15-gallon batch. I usually buy 3-4 packets for my 10 gallon batches, depending on gravity.

For liquid (on the rare occasions I use it), I usually try to do a 1L starter (in a 2L flask). But I rarely brew above about 1.070, so if you're going to be brewing 10 gal high gravity on a regular basis, I'd get the 5000 mL flask -- and a stir plate -- from brewershardware.com

[jward]

You might check out Mr. Malty's Pitching Rate Calculator to see how much to pitch and starter size.

[brahn]

If you brew 10G batches you should get a 5L flask for your starters. If you go for the recommended pitching rates, a 3.5L starter on a stir plate (from Brewer's Hardware of course!) is about right for a 1.050 OG beer.

Oh, and I 100% agree with bwarbiany, if you can use dry, do it!

[BrewMasterBrad]

I have two 1L flasks, a 2L flask, and a 5L flask. I use them all. The key is getting a stirplate that can handle all of them and Brewers Hardware is the one I use. Dry yeast is great, but I have heard that it is not so great if you plan on repitching the yeast into another batch. I brew quite a bit and I like the variety of using different liquid yeasts (especially lager yeasts) and being able to repitch. I just got in the habit of using liquid yeast a long time ago and so now it is just another part of my brewing process.

Get a big flask, get a stirplate, use Mr. Malty's pitching rate calculator.

[tylking]

There's nothing wrong with using dry yeast in serial re-pitching. Most people do not know how to properly use and manage it, that's why people have issues with re-pitching dried yeast.

[BrewMasterBrad]

There's nothing wrong with using dry yeast in serial re-pitching. Most people do not know how to properly use and manage it, that's why people have issues with re-pitching dried yeast.

I was hoping you would chime in on this Tyler. So, when are we getting another offering of your class?

[tylking]

Not sure...

[brahn]

Most people do not know how to properly use and manage it, that's why people have issues with re-pitching dried yeast.

This is begging for a longer explanation Tyler.

[backyard brewer]

There's nothing wrong with using dry yeast in serial re-pitching. Most people do not know how to properly use and manage it, that's why people have issues with re-pitching dried yeast.

I was hoping you would chime in on this Tyler. So, when are we getting another offering of your class?

Seriously... I would really like to take your class Tyler.

[Haemon]

I don't know the first damn thing about yeast, and I'm a hardcore academic so I would ALSO like to take a class on this if possible. Sign my ass UP

[dhempy]

I think I would also make the trek for Tyler's yeast class.

Dan

[oc eric]

Where do I sign up?

[maltbarley]

I ask him that all the time...and get the same answer.


Maybe we need to talk to his boss.